Synopsis:
A Knight misplaces his diary of erotic fantasies, and his Queen finds it.
Author's Note:
A story I wrote for a client. I welcome any feedback you may have! I hope you enjoy it!
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SIR LEON AND HIS QUEEN
It is said that the Royal Knights of the Kingdom of Glade were split in two orders: the First for its King, and the Second for its Queen. While the First accompanied the King on his many escapades to the furthest reaches of his domain, the Second always remained with the Queen, for they served as her personal bodyguards until death. One might think it a cozy job to watch beautiful women share tea and cakes with the lords of neighboring provinces. But serving Queens, especially the demanding sort, had its own risks and rewards.
Sir Leon of Gravenrock fidgeted restlessly in his greaves, glancing to-and-fro from the slit of his metal helmet. As he always did, every hour of every day, he was dressed immaculately from head to toe in full plate armor. But now beads of cold sweat crawled down his forehead, and if not for his helmet, he was sure his peers would read the dread on his face.
"Gods, where could I have left it...?"
He stood statuesque by the stained-glass window, along with the seven other Royal Knights. Before them, a dark-haired and beautiful woman--not too far in age from Sir Leon himself--stepped forth to address her audience. She wore a rosy dress embroidered with gold, and a jeweled tiara rested upon her prominent brow.
Sir Leon gulped anxiously. The woman was the Queen Rosayle herself.
"Eat, drink, and be merry," announced the Queen. "Tis a night to celebrate! The King has successfully defended our borders from the invader Zelmites. His legion suffered meager losses, and will return in a fortnight's time."
The myriad knights, lords and ladies, the maids and servants in the lofty throne room threw their hands in the air and cheered. "To the Kingdom of Glade!"
In short time, the banquet arranged upon the long feasting table--the spiced boar, the elderberry tarts, the curried butter, and the bread--was consumed with gusto. The dimly-lit hall, dressed with red and gold banners, smelled of wine and mead. And a medley of men and women danced with each other on the open floor, arm in arm, despite the wailing snowstorm just outside.
Sir Leon would have none of it. After her address, the Queen generously bade all of her bodyguards not only take leave of her, but shed their armor and enjoy the feast. He did not. He sat alone at a table in the corner, clutching a mug of mild cider, only opening the visor of his helmet to drink it.
"Leon!" A squire dancing gayly with a young woman shouted out to him from the floor. "Leon, tis a night for merriment! And you sit here like a lunatic with your full armor and helmet?!"
"My apologies, Guinn. My heart is not with me," he replied.
"Not with you? Doubt it! You're just being shy, as always!" He laughed drunkenly.
The squire and his partner danced off, paying little heed to the lone knight.
If one took a better look, however, they would see that Sir Leon's eyes were not sulking as one would expect. Rather, his gaze was pointed squarely at the King's table where the Queen sat. He could scarcely tear his eyes away from her.
Queen Rosayle's lips were as red as pomegranates, and her auburn hair tumbled down her bare shoulders like waterfalls of liquid mahogany. The rosy gown she wore this night was unusually low-cut, displaying the deep valley betwixt her pale breasts in a fashion that Leon could not hope to ignore. Only her doe-like brown eyes were considered common. But even those, when one met her gaze, glittered like black diamonds.
He sighed. As the Queen's trusted bodyguard, there was nothing unusual about keeping an eye on her. Rather, it was his other, more intrusive fantasies that shamed him. The Queen was indeed his pride and joy, but at other times a great deal more.
And because of that, he was anxious. He was anxious because the record of those shameful fantasies--his personal diary--was missing. If one more chaste than he had found and reported it--
Suddenly, chills prickled down his back. He watched as Queen Rosayle herself looked up and stared directly back at him! He felt her leer fly straight across the hall, over the heads of three-score men, and hit him like the gaze of a serpent. The knight was taken aback.
Is she looking at me?! W-what for?!
Sir Leon did not move a muscle. Perhaps he thought the Queen might be looking at someone behind him, despite the fact he was in a corner. But no. Rather, as if to communicate her awareness, she leaned on the table and casually rested her chin on her palm, looking at him while wearing a smirk that would normally have been delightful.
"Oh Gods. Does she know?"
He opened his visor slightly and sipped more of his ale. Then he took another swig before standing up.
"I-I suppose I'll just patrol the battlements for a while..."
He left the hall with a blush so hot that the freezing outside air did not even phase him.
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To Sir Leon's horror, he was not imagining.
A mere two hours later, with the festivities ended and the main hall nearly empty, the knight received a summons from the Queen herself. The writing on the parchment was short and sweet: "To Sir Leon of Gravenrock--I wish to see you in my bedchamber anon."
Few had privilege to speak to the Queen in her bedchamber in the highest tower. But as he clanked up the long, spiraling staircase, the Knight only felt a sense of impending doom. And when a tall, oaken door came into view, his heart pounded and he hesitated.
"M-my Queen," he said. "It is I. Sir Leon."
"Come in," she said. Her voice was demure and calming.
He pushed the heavy door open. The hinges creaked as light shone through.
Every corner of the Queen's room was adorned with gold tassels and drapes of red taffeta. An iron chandelier hung from the ceiling, fully lit. Her four-poster bed sat invitingly on the far-side of the room while the fireplace crackled nearby.
"My Queen?" The Knight glanced around.
"Here," she said.
She was by the fire, seated on a bench covered in a dozen, colored cushions. Her countenance was ravishing. Flames danced in her dark eyes as she turned and rose, still dressed in the rosy gown she wore earlier.
"Thank you for coming, Leon," she smiled.
The knight winced.
"My Queen, I mean no offense, but I would prefer you call me 'Sir' Leon."
"Well, I don't," she replied simply. "I've always called you Leon. Even during your chapel days, and after your knighting, I never thought of you as anyone but Leon."